Head-Mounted Interferometric Sensors for Non-Contact Respiration Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices face challenges in providing additional sensing capabilities for respiration monitoring while maintaining a small form factor and minimizing contact with sensitive user tissues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of interferometric sensors, such as SMI and MZI sensors, in a head-mounted device to detect respiration information non-invasively by emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the user's airflow path and processing interferometric signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-based sensors are used for respiration monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but user safety and comfort deteriorate due to direct contact with sensitive tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with optical interferometric sensors that use electromagnetic radiation to detect respiration. The interferometric sensor emits light that interacts with particles in the airflow path, and the interference patterns generated provide respiration information without requiring physical contact with the user's respiratory tract, thus eliminating the harmful contact while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary medium (particles in the airflow path such as saliva droplets or environmental particles) that carries information about respiration. The interferometric sensor detects these particles indirectly through interference patterns, allowing respiration monitoring without direct contact between the sensor and the user's sensitive tissues
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors are added to wearable devices, then sensing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometric sensor is designed to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously. By analyzing different characteristics of the interference patterns (frequency, amplitude, phase), the same sensor can extract multiple types of respiration information including respiration rate, tidal volume, and detection of respiratory events, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts multiple types of information from a single sensor by analyzing different parameters of the interference signal. By processing the same interferometric data through different analytical methods, the system can determine respiration rate, tidal volume, and detect various respiratory events, effectively multiplying the sensing capability without adding hardware complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If interferometric sensors are used for non-contact sensing, then user safety is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to indirect measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the interferometric sensor continuously monitors the interference patterns and the processing circuitry analyzes these patterns to extract respiration information. The system uses the detected particle movement feedback to calculate respiration parameters, creating a closed-loop measurement system that maintains precision through continuous analysis and refinement of the optical interference data
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate determination of respiration rate, quality, and other related biometric data without direct contact, enhancing user safety and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
one or more interferometric sensors may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards an expected airflow path for respiration of a user and generate one or more interferometric signals including information about particle movement
Data Source
AI summary
A head mounted device may include one or more interferometric sensors positioned and oriented in a housing to sense particle movement caused by respiration of a user. Interferometric signals from the one or more interferometric sensors may be used to determine respiration information about the user.